CBU Contributes More Than 681,000 Hours of Community Service

RIVERSIDE (June 26, 2013)--California Baptist University students, faculty and staff contributed more than 681,000
hours of community service during 2012, with a monetary value of nearly $16.8 million*,
according to Independent Sector, a Washington, D.C.-based advocacy group. Service
areas included the Inland Empire area and the state of California, as well as across
the nation and around the globe.

"Service is an integral part of the experience at CBU," said Dr. Ronald L. Ellis,
president of California Baptist University. "The commitment of students, faculty and
staff to be involved in service activities represents a very practical application
of one of the university's core values: equipped to serve."

Most of the service hours were a result of service learning in academic areas, where
students applied what they are learning in their major areas. The Collinsworth School
of Music accounted for a large share of the service learning hours through more than
400 concerts and vocal performances by about 400 students. The College of Engineering
contributed the second largest number of service hours through a cross-cultural experience
requirement in all of its major areas.

Many of the community services hours were a result of CBU's flagship programs, administered
through the Mobilization Office. International Service Projects, United States Projects
and Summer of Service sent 422 volunteers to 20 countries last year.

"Under Dr. Ellis' leadership, we commissioned our first teams in 1997," said Kristen
White, CBU director of global mobilization. "Our faculty and staff leaders seek to
connect with and invest in students to challenge them to take their next step in engaging
the world."

Compassion Ministries, with oversight from the Office of Spiritual Life, also contributed
service hours during the year through local ministries with the elderly, teens, children
and the homeless.

One group of students working with the homeless said they want to be a stepping stone
between area churches and various homeless programs.

"Our hope is to build relationships with the people we encounter, with the goal of
meeting their physical needs and eventually being able to share the gospel with them,"
said Melody Henderson, a CBU student involved in the ministry. "Our desire is to be
Jesus' hands and feet in this community and to love the people around us as best we
can."

California Baptist University students, faculty and staff contributed more than 681,000
hours of community service during 2012, with a monetary value of $16.8 million. Service
areas included the Inland Empire area and the state of California, as well as across
the nation and around the globe.